Robert “Bob” M. Stein, the influential political scientist who shaped civic life at Rice University and across Houston and Texas, died July 18 after a brief battle with cancer. He was 75.
A faculty member at Rice for 46 years, Stein retired June 30 after remaining actively engaged in research, teaching and public service through his final semester. He held the Lena Gohlman Fox Professorship of Political Science — a title designated emeritus upon his retirement. Throughout his tenure, he transformed public policy education and community engagement through teaching, research and hands-on partnerships that bridged campus and city hall. He also served as dean of the School of Social Sciences, chair of the political science department and fellow in urban politics at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Stein was widely respected as an expert on voting behavior, emergency preparedness and local government. His research — frequently funded by the National Science Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts and other prominent institutions — informed election policy and public service programs across the country. He was also a go-to resource for many political journalists, both locally and nationally. His sharp, data-driven analysis regularly appeared on Houston newscasts as well as outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post and NPR, making him one of the most trusted political voices in the region.
“Bob Stein was a towering figure whose passion for research, teaching and public service left an indelible mark on Rice and our city,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. “His work exemplified how universities can drive meaningful change in the world around them. We will deeply miss his wisdom, generosity and steadfast commitment to empowering our students to become thoughtful, engaged citizens.”
“Bob Stein has been my friend and adviser for decades. He has served this community well,” former Houston Mayor Bill White said. “He has been a leader in community engagement among all academic experts in all fields. He helped the city of Houston in numerous ways when I was mayor. He has inspired thousands of students. Political and civic leaders have sought his counsel often. And he was a model for lifetime learning and fitness. He was a dedicated husband and father. And, though it may not be appreciated, he was a trailblazer in popularizing bicycling in our region — though he was hard to keep up with even after his diagnosis.”
In 2025, Stein received Rice’s Y. Ping Sun Award for Outstanding Community Engagement, honoring his lifelong commitment to public service. He played a central role in founding the university’s Center for Civic Engagement — now the Center for Civic Leadership — embedding experiential learning into the undergraduate curriculum and encouraging students to tackle real-world challenges.
“Bob was indefatigable in everything he did,” said Rachel Kimbro, dean of social sciences. “His passion for his research, teaching and advocacy had no limits and was constantly expressed, often with his trademark laugh. Not only did he actively work to improve our city in so many ways but he truly took the time to train the next generation of civic leaders and political scientists.”
Colleagues in the Department of Political Science echoed that sentiment.
“Bob’s energy, enthusiasm and optimism were infectious; he could get anyone excited for the potential that research has to improve public policy,” said Brett Ashley Leeds, the Radoslav Tsanoff Professor of Public Affairs and recent chair of political science at Rice. “The legacy he leaves — through his scholarship, his advice to policymakers and his mentoring of countless students — will continue to have a positive impact for generations.”
Stein’s belief in student-driven, community-centered research was reflected in a wide range of applied projects, from hurricane evacuation planning to public library strategy. In one standout example, Stein led a student team that partnered with the Houston Public Library to reimagine how branches should be prioritized for renovation. Their analysis revealed that people often used libraries along their daily commute — near work, school or errands — rather than the ones closest to their homes. That insight helped city leaders make smarter, more equitable decisions, prioritizing renovations based on actual usage patterns rather than political boundaries.
Stein was also known for his advocacy, both scholarly and personal. A lifelong cyclist, he made headlines in 2024 after speaking at a Houston City Council meeting about the removal of a protected bike lane near his home. Framing his remarks around public safety — not just cycling — his comments went viral and helped stall additional removals. “That experience reminded me that sometimes the best lesson is to show up and speak out,” he said in a recent interview.
In one of his final appointments, Stein was named co-director of Rice’s new Center for Voting, a multidisciplinary initiative focused on improving election administration and expanding access to the democratic process.
Born in New York City in 1950, Stein earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio Wesleyan University and both his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He briefly taught at the University of Georgia before joining the Rice faculty in 1979.
He authored “Urban Alternatives: Public and Private Markets in the Provision of Local Services” and co-authored “Perpetuating the Pork Barrel: Policy Subsystems and American Democracy.” His scholarship earned top honors from the American Political Science Association and Political Research Quarterly, and he was twice awarded Rice’s George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching.
Stein is survived by his wife, Marty; their daughters, Nora and Annie; and five grandchildren.
Services will be held on Tuesday, July 22 at 10 a.m. at Temple Emanu El. In addition, a campus event to celebrate Stein’s legacy will be held this fall.